Device for preventing horses from cribbing



(No Model.)

J. O.TOSTER.. DEVICE FOR PREVENTIN GJHORSES PROM ORIBBING.

Patented Apr. 29, 1884.

N. PETERS. Phmwulhngnphnr, Wzlhingion. D. C.

[UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JOHl O. FOSTER, OF IVATERMAN, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING HORSES FROM CRIBBING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,777, dated April 29, 1884.

Application filed July 7,1883. (No model.)

v ful Improvements in Devices for Preventing Horses from Oribbing; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact'description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which. form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices for preventing the cribbing of horses, and more particularly to that class of such devices which are placed upon or worn around the neck of the horse, andareprovided withpoints or spurs, which are caused to prick the skin when the horse attempts to crib by the distention of the neck which takes place duringthe act mentioned. 1

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction in the class of devices above mentioned; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure Us a viewof the head and neck of a horse, showing the collar in place. Fig. 2 is a central sectional view of the collar. Fig. 3 is a transverse section uponline x x of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the collar, showing a modified form of the device.

The principal portion of the device, or the collar proper, consists of a strip, A, of metal, which is curved to fit thelower part of the neck of the horse, and a stra B, secured to the outside surface of said strip by means of rivets Z), and having ends which pass over the neck and are buckled together, as at b, so as to secure the strip in place. The strip A is provided in its portion which comes beneath the horsesneck when in place with a series of inwardly-projecting points or spurs, a, and a yielding protecting strip or guard, (J, is supported over the points of said spurs, so as to prevent them touching the horse,eXcept when the under part of the throat is distended so as to press the skin down upon thepoints thereof. The guard-strip O is preferably made of 50 rubber, leather, or other flexible material, and

is attached at its ends to a coveringstrap, B, and at its sides either to the side of the strap B or to a supplementary strap, B placed between thestrip A and strap B, as shown more plainly in Fig. 3. In the construction shown the covering-strap B at one side of the device is composed of the end of the strap A,--which is doubled to hold the buckle, and secured upon the inner face of the strap" A, as shown at the left hand in Fig. 2. A series of apertures, c, is formed in the said guard-strip O, opposite the points of the spurs, through which said points may pass when the guard-strip is pressed down upon them. I11 order to effectually prevent the accidental exposure of the points of the spurs a above the guard O, a series of spirally-coiled springs, a, are preferably placed upon the said spurs, which hold the said guard above the .points of the spurs, except when it is pressed directly down upon them, as before described. The strip A is preferably composed of iron or steel. The spurs a are preferably riveted to the said strip, but may be secured thereto in any desired ofpreferred manner, and the springs a are held at their lower ends by having the ends of the wire thereof passed through apertures in said strip,.as shown.

In Fig. 4 a modified form of the device is illustrated, in which the springs a are dispensed with, and a rigid guard-strip, O, which is connected to the strip A at its-ends by means of elastic straps D, is placed above the spurs a. The guard G is provided with perforations c, for the admission of the said spurs, and is permitted to yield downwardly by the elasticity 8 5 of the straps D, so as to allow the spurs to pass through said perforations. In this case a covering, E, of cloth or other suitable material, is preferably placed over and around the spurs and guard mentioned, as shown in Fig. 0 4, the points of the spurs passing through said cloth when the guard is depressed. The cloth covering E may be held in place in any suitable manner, as by securing its edges between the strap B and a strap, B, interposed be- 5.

tween the strip A and strap B. r The guard constructed as first described is preferred, however, on account of its more simple construc'tiomand because the guard, being of a flexible material, will conform to the shape of the horses neck, and will yield at any part of its length upon which pressure is brought, so that the spurs will project above its surface.

By bending the guard (3 around the spurs, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the metal parts are protected from dust and moisture, and the collar is given a more finished and pleasing appearance. Such construction serves, also, to prevent suspicion in the mind of an animal of acute perceptions as to the true nature of the device previous to its application.

A ring, 6 may be attached to the collar, as

shown, to which a rope or strap may be attached for the purpose of securing the horse in the stall or elsewhere.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a device for the purpose stated, the combination, with a. metal strip A, provided with spurs a, and with a strap, B, for scour ing said strip in place, of afiexible perforated guard, G, and springs for supporting said guard, substantially as described.

2. In a device for the purpose stated, the combination, with the metal strip A, provided with spurs a, and with a strap, 13, ofa perforated guard, C, and spiral springs a, placed around said spurs a, between the said strip A and guard O, substantially as described.

3. In a device for the purpose stated, the combination, with the strapB and the strip A, provided with spurs a, of a flexible guard, (l, bent over the spurs and secured at its edges to said strap, and of springs a, placed upon the spurs, for upholding the said guard, substantially as set forth.

4; In a device for the purpose stated, the combination, with the strap B and the strip A, provided with spurs a, of covering-straps B, and a flexible perforated guard, C, secured at its ends to the said straps B and at its edges to the strap 13, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN O. FOSTER.

\Vitnesses:

ROBERT Hunrnnny, .T. It. GRIFFITH. 

